The PM was absent, presumably on his way to Tumbler Ridge, BC, while Pierre Poilievre was also absent. That left it up to Andrew Scheer to lead off, and he led off by reiterating condolences for Tumbler Ridge, and asked for an update as to supports being provided. Steven MacKinnon read a statement about their own condolences, and said that at the invitation of the mayor, the prime minister would be there on Friday and that he also invited other party leaders to join him. Scheer thanked him, and then launched into his denunciation into the government’s housing record and demanded the government eliminate the GST on all new homes. Jennifer McKelvie responded with praise for the Building Canada Homes Act before the House currently. Scheer then denounced the state of the auto sector and demanded the government adopt the Conservatives’ plan of removing the tax on all Canadian-made vehicles. Joly first gave her condolences, before reminding him the subsidies are for Canadians. Pierre Paul-Hus took over in French to read the same script in l’autre langue officiel, and Joly reminded him that their auto strategy is about ensuring the sector is still viable in the decades to come. Paul-Hus then blamed increased immigration for making housing unattainable in Quebec City, and Caroline Desrochers read a statement praising their housing programmes. Paul-Hus tried again, and Desrochers read a script about how the Conservatives only have slogans.

Christine Normandin led for the Bloc, and she once again asked about the new pension software, and once again, Stephanie McLean read a statement saying that the project was under budget and that seven million seniors are getting their cheques on time, and to forward any names of anyone affected. Normandin was theatrically outraged that there are 85,000 people not getting payments and demanded a commission of inquiry. Patty Hajdu read a statement about the modernization and that any unresolved cases need to contact the government. Sébastien Lemire mocked the answer that the project was on budget, and got a warning from the Speaker. Hajdu offered him a briefing on the system and stated that the ability for people to apply online relieves the burden on the department.

Round two, and Andrew Lawton shouted his script on housing (McKelvie: You should support the budget implementation bill and the Building Canada Homes Act; Fragiskatos: I know your riding and they deserve more than Someone who shouts insults, while we are getting new housing built), Roman Baber excitedly but unconvincingly read the same script (McKelvie: Build Canada Homes has signed hundreds of agreements and shovels will soon be in the ground; Church: You are only building obstruction), Tako Van Popta read an abbreviated version of the script (Long: Your are not serious about housing because you mocked housing you don’t like; Naqvi: In my own riding, we are repurposing federal lands to build housing), and Vincent Ho read the same script yet again (McKelvie: We just announced a project in your riding).

Martin Champoux worried that the government was dropping the ball on adopting a binding protocol to protect culture from web giants at UNESCO (Miller: I can’t say anything at this point; You should vote yes to the budget).

Dominique Vien returned to the issue of the pension software (McLean: Same answer as before; MacKinnon: Over seven million are receiving their benefits, and if they have any names of people affected, they should forward them), Gabriel Hardy demanded housing (Desrochers: Canadians know who is working for them; Build Canada Homes is already getting action but you need to pass the budget), and Jacques Gourde read the script without his trademarked scream (Desrochers: We are responding to Canadians’ needs).

Round three saw questions on the auto strategy (Joly: Canadians will get rebates and Europe say EV adoption outpace gas-powered car sales, so we need to support the industry; It took you months to denounce the American tariffs, and the sector is integrated and American-assembled vehicles have Canadian parts; It’s about time you met with the union; Everyone is in favour of the strategy but you are trying to change the narrative; We are in talks with automakers from Germany, South Korea and China to locate here; Fragiskatos: You keep ignoring the positions of the unions and are trying to take advantage of the workers; I invite Conservatives to support the strategy to ensure the future of the sector; Church: Everyone calls our strategy is great), extortion (Sarai: Pass Bill C-14; Sahota: Pass lawful access; Once C-12 passes false asylum claims will be cancelled), whether the Chinese tariffs will actually get reduced (MacDonald: We are working hard and the lines of communication are open), putting mental healthcare in the Canada Health Act (Michel: These are under provincial jurisdiction), and foreign interference in a potential provincial referendum (MacKinnon: We have taken careful note of the recommendations of the Hogue Commission and will take firm steps against people undermining our unity).

Joly: You keep asking the same question because your leader gave you a sheet to read. (She’s not wrong) #QP

— Dale Smith (@journodale.bsky.social) 2026-02-12T20:03:17.984Z

Overall, it was a pretty low-key day with about half of the Chamber absent, but this close to a break week, that’s not unexpected. This being said, there were a few instances where MPs were using their questions or responses to get their own clips about Tumbler Ridge, and for the Liberal backbench questions in particular, this was kind of off-putting. The only other particularly off-putting questions were from Pierre Paul-Hus, which indulged the more vile aspects of ethnic nationalism in Quebec to blame immigration for Quebec City’s problems, particularly housing, and the notion that it is watering down their language and culture. The fact that the government didn’t call that particular sentiment out was disappointing, which is why we need more Marc Millers in the government (because he does call out this kind of thing).

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Peter Fragiskatos for a tailored dark grey three-piece suit with a white shirt and pocket square with a pink paisley tie, and to Christine Normandin for a black long-sleeved dress with brass buttons on the shoulders. Style citations go out to Stephanie McLean for a fuchsia jacket with rolled sleeves over a red top and black slacks, and to Kevin Waugh for a dark grey suit with a black and cream striped shirt, and dark cream-coloured tie.